where is halloween from

Halloween originated from the Celtic festival of Samhain, traditionally celebrated on the evening of October 31 and into November 1, marking the change from the lighter to the darker half of the year. Over time, Samhain blended with Christian observances such as All Saints’ Day (November 1), and All Hallows’ Eve (the night before), which eventually became Halloween. The customs widely associated with Halloween today—costumes, bonfires, and trick- or-treating—trace back to these historical roots, with pumpkins (in Ireland and later the United States) replacing earlier turnip lanterns as symbols of warding off spirits.